At the time of launch, it was the heaviest satellite India had produced.

[3][4][5][6] INSAT-4A was a communication satellite intended for providing high quality television, telecommunication, broadcasting services and was the first satellite to be launched in the INSAT-4 series.

INSAT-4A was launched by an Ariane 5, produced by Arianespace, on 21 Dec 2005 at 22.33 UTC[7][8] from Kourou, French Guiana.

The satellite was placed in the graveyard orbit on 21 October 2019 after almost 14 years in service.

[2] A replacement satellite GSAT-30 was launched on 21:05 UTC, 16 January 2020 aboard Ariane 5 VA251.